THE TERRA NOVA GOES SOUTH 31 



on the deck-house, in the waist, everywhere except the poop. 

 The two Peary dogs — somewhat larger but not so sturdy as 

 the Siberians — are marooned in the alley between the labora- 

 tories and the deck-house, where they are tripped over every 

 few minutes by some hurrying scientist. They are both black 

 and indistinguishable to me, but are known — by a somewhat 

 invidious juxtaposition of ideas — as Peary and Cook. 



On Saturday, the 26th, a farewell address was given by 

 the Bishop of Christchurch. It took place at noon on the 

 poop, and was attended by all the members of the expedition 

 and some half-dozen visitors. The time of departure had 

 been fixed for three o'clock many days previously, so that 

 every one was ready and there was no delay. We were 

 accompanied to the Heads by half a dozen excursion steamers 

 and tugs, and by numerous small launches. Guns were fired 

 from the battery and from the warships at anchor in the port. 

 A New Zealand flag floated on our mizen mast— presented 

 by a local school. Many of the launches had kindly messages 

 displayed. One particular large banner in the distance excited 

 our curiosity. With the glasses we made out, " Excursion 

 to the Heads, one shilling." What a descent from the sublime 

 to the ridiculous ! 



At the Heads Captain Scott left us to join at Dunedin, 

 but our most popular manager, Mr. Wyatt, accompanied us 

 in his cabin. In anticipation of bad weather — which happily 

 spared us — the newly joined members of the expedition de- 

 voted their attention to stowing their personal baggage. I 

 must confess I felt this a hopeless task. 



Our cabin measures six by eight feet. On the roof beam 

 is cut, " Certified to accommodate two seamen," but four 

 scientists and their belongings have spent a large portion of a 

 month therein, and ultimately with little discomfort. But 

 four wooden bunks and a wash-basin take up a large portion 

 of six by eight feet. Our Antarctic clothing had been issued 

 the day before we sailed — a solid block of woollen goods, 

 with a canvas " sausage " four feet long which they filled 

 completely. Four of these formed the piece de resistance of 

 our baggage. But each of us had another similar bag of 

 ordinary clothing, and a box for books, etc. On top of this 

 pile reposed a layer of sea-boots of enormous length and 

 weight, but during bad weather beyond price. Cameras 



